Don't You Hate it When That Happens...?

So Brynne woke up at about 2:30am and wanted to brush her teeth since she had fallen asleep while eating a snack in the living room and was just carried off to bed. Once she was back in bed I couldn't go to sleep! It's now 2 hours later and obviously I'm still wide awake! Don't you hate it when that happens, or am I just crazy? So I thought I'd share a few of my random thoughts...

The greatest show I never watched...How did this happen?

Had no idea what I was missing out on! A babysitter was showing me a few of the routines on You Tube yesterday. If you havent seen it check it out...WOW! Next Season...

The Gym...

I am totally addicted...it's official. I can't miss a day. In fact today was insane around here and I still managed to ditch everything and go for a fantastic run in the air conditioned gym. I have good running days and bad ones. On the bad ones, by mile one my eyes are glued to the little red dots around the screen and I am counting down each lap and trying to convince myself that maybe I really should only run 3 miles instead of my mental mandatory four, and breathing is a bother. Other days, good days, are the best! Today was a good running day. I ran 6.5 miles and I was FLYING! Really, it felt like it. I could have run 10 but I was jointly hosting a bridal shower and only had an hour before it started. On the good running days it takes every bit of effort not to start dancing and singing on the treadmill. As it is I have given up trying to stop myself from mouthing the words.

I know I look stupid but whatever, so do a lot of other people in there like the ones who come all decked out in their make-up...What is that all about? Or the guys who actually come to work out in jeans and a wife beater...there are only a few of those but seriously? And then there are those who come to the gym just to be watched. That one is a struggle for me. I want nothing more than to ignore them because their clothes and body language are begging "look at me", but I am so embarrassed for them that I can't help but watch the train wreck. Do you know what I'm talking about?

And then there are the regulars who all have nicknames, but only in my head. You know they will be there same time, same place, doing the same thing. For example, Coffee Guy. He is there when I make it in the mornings. Smells way too soapy, super hairy guy, and he seriously brings in a Starbucks every morning to the treadmill right next to me. We have never said hello, or even made eye contact. Ya it's kinda wierd, but he's consistant. Then there is Crazy Asian Lady. She is about 60, wears nude colored tank tops, and super short shorts, a full face of makeup and a pony tail on the tip top of her head. She is thin as a rail, with an over the top boob job. She might actually live at the gym, and kind of wanders from one weight machine to another, cool as a cucumber,never breaking a sweat. I could go on, but you get the idea. So who am I at the gym?

I do always have to have a few things or I won't go.

1. iPod with my surround sound headphones

2. Chapstick (no I don't bring it in, I just put it on right before, my lips get too dry, maybe from the silent singing I do?)

3. Gum so my mouth doesn't get too dry while I'm running.

4. NO MAKEUP

I bet someone out there has a crazy name for me too. Maybe Coffee Guy walks on the treadmill by me because he knows I look so ridiculous that no one will notice he's got coffee on the treadmill...huh...

Okay my newspaper was just dropped off and Coffee Guy will be heading to the gym any minute. I have got to get back to bed...'night!

Row, Row, Row Your Boat...

One of the many great perks of serving in the Stake Young Women's Presidency is that I get invited to join in on some of the ward activities the youth have. A week ago I was able to go up to Sacramento and go rafting down the American River. We all had SO much fun! I would love to take my family next summer. What a fantastic ride we had!

Short Cuts

So last night I headed over to the salon for a trim, after checking out the condition of my hair and debating over wheather Jeff might be completely bummed out, I went for it. I think he kinda likes me and I'm hoping he'll get over it quickly (the cut, not me). So about 6 inches later this is me. I am definately growing it long again but this is just a little stop along the way. Kinda fun for now but I wish I would have done it at the begining of the summer like I had considered. What do you think?

Exposed in a game of TAG!

Oh the brutality of what could have been a simple game of tag! Ouch! This definately didn't feel like fun and games. My sister Tara tagged me and believe me she's going to hear about it from me! This one REQUIRES a disclaimer from me before I even begin! We bought our house in a great custom neighborhood about 4 years ago only because I had a vision that the ugly pink house that smelled of large dogs and cigarette smoke could be transformed, and that it was worth it to put in the blood sweat and tears to be in a great place just 6 houses away from my parents. Well we are not even close to being done and it is impossible for me to see the house for whatever it is...I just see what it is supposed to be, when it's done. I am so very far from done with it, that it regularly has me up at night up to my eyeballs in projects. My husband DESTESTS that word. And so I have been tagged and insted of tunnel tag or freeze tag which I might have preferred, I am now about to expose all the little things I have been trying to overlook for what seems like too long. On that cheery note lets begin!

1. MY KITCHEN SINK

To some this could prove embarassing if it was overly full of grody dishes or something, I start twitching if a cup is left inside (yes we are all aware of my OCD tendencies aren't we?) but my problem here is that I really hate my sink. In fact as my husband has struggled with ideas for birthdays and Christmas for at least the last three I have honestly asked for a new kitchen sink! And so rather than hope it goes unnoticed, here it is listed as item number one in this game of TAG! Can you see how fun this is going to be?

2.MY FRIDGE

While everyone knows I LOVE a good bargain, I wish I could feel a sense of pride when I say that our fridge is the one we bought about a year after we were married and paid only$150 for. While the statement is true, all I really want, besides the sink of course, oh and a whole kitchen makeover, is a new fridge!




Apparently we have to show the contents inside as well...?


3. FAVORITE PAIR OF SHOES

So with all the fantastic shoes I have, you may shocked to see that the ones that have a complete hold on my heart right now are my new Nike+ running shoes! I have to say I LOVE the voices in my head these days! These shoes have a sensor connected to my iPod that tell me how far I've run, when I am halfway done, my calories burned, average pace, and compare with my last run, all while I am rocking out to fantastic music! I noticed the shoes because they were cute of course, then fell in love with the way they fit my feet. As I closed the box I noticed that they were compatible with my iPod...SOLD! One week and 30 miles later I can honestly say, this is true love!





4. MY BEDROOM CLOSET

Okay, the funny thing here is that while I may be the biggest neat freak some of you know, always, always, always, my closet will be the messiest place in my house. Part of the problem is obviously the lack of space. Couple this with the fact that I am adding items to this closet on at least a weekly basis. You can see where this is going and it's just not working out for me!


5. LAUNDRY ROOM


I just worked on this a few months ago I really like this room now. I just need new flooring and a new faucet and it will be done!





6. MY BED

I'm ready for a big change here but this is it for now...




7. MY BATHROOM

This room will be so cool when I update the tile and fixtures. It has a giant skylight that is one of my favorite things,especially when it rains outside.



8. MY HALLWAY

Kinda boring...

9. MY YARD

When we moved into the house I promptly removed (by myself) every tree and shrub but the largest few and started from scratch. It's finally coming together. Also of note is that the house is no longer a lovely shade of Salmon. (Jeff did that part)

The back of the house needs lots of work. I just had 4 very large trees ripped out because it was so shady I couldn't grow grass. Since we were basically starting over with the grass I went ahead and purchased an inflatable water slide to finish off the grass before I re-seed. Lovely thing to look out my back windows at don't you agree?

10. WHAT ARE MY KIDS DOING RIGHT NOW?

When I took the pictures Garrett was gone. Here are the rest. While they are self explanitory, they are not my proudest moments, just my reality.

Wes...

Drew...

Brynne...

11. MY FAVORITE ROOM

I have the room I love to hang out in the most, and then the one I am most grateful for.

I'll let you guess which one is which.


Option One

This is option two

This is actually our garage. It has a seperate heater and air conditioning unit. Every toy we own has a home here. Inside a drawer or cupboard. The carpet is indoor/outdoor so we can still park in here. When I close the door I don't see the mess or hear the noise. I am not worried about what will happen to the carpet. This room is 800sqft of pure bliss!

12. MOST RECENT PURCHASE

Last night I bought a big girl bed for my little Brynne! She looks way too tiny in it! Next up is making her bedding and curtains to match! Here is the picture from the box.

13. DREAM VACATION

I'm torn here...See my favorite vacation was when our family all went to Italy a few years ago. The next big trip I am going on is back to Germany to show Jeff how incredible that was. I went without him about 5 years ago, we are going back in October. The next place I want to explore is Greece. These vacations are exhausting because I don't want to leave any stone unturned, I don't want to miss anything so I come home needing a vacation from my vacation, but I'm exhilarated from the experience. If I wanted to just go anywhere to just veg-out and not have anything I absolutely had to go see, then I would probably choose to go to the Atlantis Hotel in the Bahamas. Living it up by the ocean with a great book, diet coke in hand, and just relaxing sounds amazing! But I have always had this fantasy of sending my husband and kids away on vacation for a week while I stay home and do all of my projects. This one is definately toward the top of my list. So sadly no pictures here, these are all in my head!


14. SELF PORTRAIT

Who wants to see this???!! I mean seriously. I'll apologise right now for this but does anyone like these? Eeew! And I didn't even do my hair today. Perfect way to keep in touch with old friends huh? I mean honestly is this a very nice thing to ask of anyone? Are you feeling my excitement here?

AHHHHHH! Finally finished! Kudos to anyone who bothered to read all of this. Yes, I know I talk a lot, but hey this is like my own little journal here so indulge me a little and learn to just skim through it!

And here is where I get to TAG some friends and put them through all this "fun"! So I tag Kristen, Karin, Kari, Carie, and Jenny. Just get your pictures done now and post as you have time. Good times ladies! Love ya!

Whew I made it!

Lazy Summer Days

So today I took the kids out to the waterpark. We have had season passes every year since Drew was born and he is now 7. Great way to get the kids out of the house, thus keeping it clean, let off on the AC for a few hours, it wears the kids out nicely, and I get to visit with friends or read a book while tanning. Great situation all the way around I think!

Brynne had me rent a tube for her to float on in the wave pool today. She could spend all day on the waves, but I did convince her to dry out for a bit once or twice. Isn't she as cute as pie!?

After we got home today and I was getting dry clothes out for her she asked, "Can I wear a different outfit? The one that looks like a teenager?" What!!!??? Where did she get that from? A teenager? I had no clue what she was talking about so I picked her up so she could show me which outfit was the teenager outfit...? Then she spotted something else she really needed, "Yeah mom the one that goes with those...(searching for the right word in her 3 yr old mind) maracas? You know like a costume..?" Ah...the lights turned on... I did know. She wanted her blue and white pom poms and the BYU cheerleader outfit we bought before going to a game last season. After following her very specific instructions of how she envisioned looking she ran out to the living room, climbed up onto a trunk and cheered from the top of her lungs "BYU ! BYU! BYU!" Yes, we brainwash them young around here!

Almost there...

So I have been playing with all these blog applications and trying to figure out how to add the pictures and music and all that before I send out an official "hey we have a blog now email". Everyone clicks so see what its all about, mostly looking to see all the fun pictures of the family and to hear what you're up to. Some of you have found me already. Sorry, not quite there yet. I've been a little unbusy for a change and I'm enjoying it way to much! I think I have things figured out though (Thanks to my sister Tara) and now this won't seem like so much work! I can feel a smattering of postings just begging to happen...stay tuned, I promise lots of pics and fun stories are right around the corner!

Here Goes...

Okay so here goes...ta da! We now have a family blog. I have been putting off starting this partly because I have no idea how and partly because I wasn't sure what I wanted this space to be. Once I gave it a title my mind was made up. Some people are very good about reading all the books, doing the research, watching things carefully done and asking lots of questions from those who have already learned the ropes. My husband is one of those people, I definately am not! I like to sew but NEVER use a pattern, love to cook but really don't like to stick to any one recipe, and I hate to ask the questions.

I love to figure things out all by myself. Yes I know this is the hard way but really I'm much to impatient to do it any other way. So I never read any of those books on potty training my kids or getting them to sleep through the night, but all four sleep every night and nobody at my house is still in diapers. I have no idea how to be "Mom" and "Honey" and still be just Jen sometimes. I don't know how to best volunteer at the kids school and fulfill my callings at church and still get dinner on the table every night. I don't know how to balance all the activities I want to participate in and the ones the kids want to do. I don't know how to fit all the clothes I own into my closet and I don't know how to stop buying shoes. I still don't know how to gracefully just say no when someone needs my time for whatever reason. But I just jump in head first and I fake it until I get it figured out.

And so it is...I may sound a like a little kid, but honestly I still feel like one sometimes so I decided this is my space to share my stories, the ups and downs, trials and successes of just figuring life out along the way, my way.